Ref. No. 5972-XEC

Defendant was arrested for weaving and failure to maintain a single lane.  Tampa police officers followed her for a few miles, stopped her and arrested her after she failed to satisfactorily perform field sobriety exercises.  She was transported to Central Breath Testing and provided a breath sample of .19.  Upon review of the video, DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins filed a motion to suppress the evidence against her based on the stop of her vehicle.  Stephen was able to get her DUI charge reduced to Reckless Driving (with no conviction) and minimum sanctions.  Because of the result in her case, she is eligible to seal her case.

NO CONVICTION FOR ANY CHARGE! – Defendant retained Stephen Higgins on his DUI.   Defendant was stopped for following too closely and failure to maintain a single lane.  Deputies smelled alcohol and requested that defendant perform field sobriety exercises, which defendant failed.  He refused to provide a breath sample.   Stephen was able to beat the license suspension at the DMV allowing defendant to reinstate his full driving privileges.  On the criminal side of the case, Stephen was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving, with no conviction, no probation and no community service hours.

NO DUI CONVICTION – Defendant was operating a motor vehicle in Hillsborough County and was stopped by Hillsborough County Deputies for an expired tag.  Deputies smelled alcohol and the defendant admitted to drinking.  He failed Field Sobriety Exercises but refused the breath sample.  Stephen Higgins argued lack of probable cause to arrest and was able to get the charge amended to Reckless Driving.

No DUI Conviction – Defendant, a CDL driver, was observed by Hillsborough County Deputy for speeding 70 in a 45 MPH zone. After being stopped, the Defendant performed field sobriety exercises and failed.  Defendant was transported to Orient Road jail where he provided breath samples of .103 and .109.  Defendant also admitted to drinking 4 Corona beers.  Despite the evidence of impairment, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving.

Ref. No. 00190-XEH May 13, 2011 Judge Grieco

Ref. No. 03722-XDQ   May 20, 2011 Judge Courtnet

Defendant was arrested after making an illegal u-turn in front of a law enforcement officer from the University of South Florida Police Department.   Defendant submitted to field sobriety tests and following his performance on the exercises he was arrested.  He told the officer that he didn’t believe he was impaired and when he got to the jail he refused to submit to a breath test.  After hours of negotiation with the state attorney, the state agreed to reduce the case and the client was very happy with the end result and is now eligible to seal the case to remove it from the public record.